First Sermon

Unusual Happenings

Last week we saw how the Holy Spirit filled the disciples of Jesus and the began to speak in languages that other people heard in their native tongues. Some people were astonished because all the people speaking were uneducated Galileans. They received the message of God spoken int their own language and went back to their home country and shared it with others. This is how the fulfillment of Jesus in Acts 1: 8

Acts 1:8 NASB95

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

There were other there that observed what was happening but could not hear or understand the message of God. They accused the disciples of being drunk. They were saying in essence that these people filled with the Holy Spirit were dumb and nothing but a bunch of drunks.

There will be times when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and people will not understand us. We will try to share the gospel with some and they will think we are religious fanatics or dumb for believing what we believe.

You see the Holy Spirit must fill us to share while at the same time fill them to receive the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit that does the work of salvation. It is know as the external and internal effectual call. The external is our proclamation of the gospel. The internal effectual call is what the Holy Spirit does in the heart of the person that hears the gospel.

Tough Message

Peter sternly gave an explanation and message to what the disciples were doing. He explained that what was happening was what the prophet Joel said would happen in Joel 2:28-29

Joel 2:28–29 (NASB95)

“It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. “Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Peter substantiated what was happening by the Word of God. He shared that the Holy Spirit had been poured out and that the people were prophesying. He used the Old Testament scripture to prove that this event was an act of God and not foolishness of drunkenness.

When we make claims of spiritual matters we too must substantiate it with the Word of God. If we cannot substantiate what we are claiming as an act of God with the word of God, then we are acting foolishly. God will never contradict or go outside His own Word. For example, Someone may say, “God told me that since I am not happy in my marriage, to divorce my spouse and marry the one that is making me happy.” That is foolishness! God did not tell you that. You are trying to spiritualize your own desire.

When we make spiritual claims it is always best to know the passage of scripture that supports your claim. You must also understand the context of the passage and its meaning and how it applies to our claim. We cannot take a passage of scripture out of context and use it to support our claim. For example, one of the most misquoted and misused passages that I hear is “God will never give me more than I can handle. The real passage says this in 1 Cor. 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB95

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

It does not say that He will not give you more than you can handle. It says that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. As a matter of fact, I would contend that God often gives us more than we can handle. When He gives us more than we can handle, we are forced to turn to Him for answers and solutions. We discover the character of God and build intimacy with Him when we experience Him in the things that He gives that are more than we can handle.

Hard message to hear

Peter then proceeded to tell them that they were responsible for killing the son of God.Acts 2:22-23

Acts 2:22–23 (NASB95)

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

Peter reminded the people that they were the ones who shouted “crucify Him” and turned Jesus over to the Romans to crucify. They must assume responsibility for what they did if they were not willing to receive the message of salvation.

This is a message that rings true today. However, it is rarely preached or shared. Many times churches will give an invitation that says if you will walk an aisle, say a prayer, and get baptised you will be saved. It is known as the forgiveness only gospel. It does not address the heart of salvation. REPENTANCE. We cannot be saved until we understand that we too are responsible for killing the Son of God. It is our sin that put Him on the cross. We must have such remorse of our sin that we turn away from it, receive the forgiveness of Christ, give him our messed up life, and follow him the rest of our life. This is genuine salvation.

I believe the reason we do not share the tough message about sin in our gospel message is that it is uncomfortable and hard to do. We want people to be happy more than we want them to be saved! If you truly love someone and desire their salvation you must share the tough message of repentance.

I am convinced that the only thing that is going to help our country and our world is when the church is more intentional in doing what Jesus commanded us to do. Matt. 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 (NASB95)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

When we start sharing the true gospel and demonstrating how to obey the commandments of Christ in our spheres of influence, then we will begin to make a difference for the kingdom of Christ.

Understand that if you are a follower of Christ, then you have the power of the Holy Spirit to be an ambassador of heaven for the purpose of Christ. You do not have to do it in your own strength or intellect. Do it in the power of the Holy Spirit 2 Cor. 5:20

2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB95

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Strong Message

Peter claimed that even though the people crucified Jesus. Death could not hold him in the grave. Ps. 16:8-10

Psalm 16:8–10 (NASB95)

I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

God had promised king David that He would place a descendant of David on the throne for all of eternity. Jesus fulfilled this promise. When Jesus died on the cross he bore the penalty for all sin and paid the price of death for all people. Because He was obedient to the Father to do this, He was resurrected form the dead. John 10:17-18

John 10:17–18 (NASB95)

“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Jesus has conquered death by His resurrection from the dead. After He was resurrected on the third day, the Bible records that he appeared to over 500 people then He ascended back into heaven. He sent His Holy Spirit to continue His mission of glorifying God. This event at Pentecost in Jerusalem is the beginning of the churches mission of Christ.

It begins with you! Are you saved? Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you have the Holy Spirit residing within you? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then I have good news this morning. Paul said in Rom. 10:13

Romans 10:13 NASB95

for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Are you willing to call on the name of the Lord today?